When morale is low it has psychological and physiological effects.

Low morale, if prevalent, affects individuals’ well-being as well as the group’s well-being. A  true health audit ideally explores the genesis of low morale and what can be done to boost morale. What changes are possible? Where should they take place? How? When? By who?

Each group or organisation is unique. This is the beauty of individuality. Exploring morale leads to real human issues, real human needs. As part of the fast developing world our needs to be treated on a human level is coming much more to the fore. This means CEO’s, managers and workers alike! Human relations are best addressed on a human level:

POSSIBLE HUMAN ISSUES AFFECTING MORALE:

1. Personality clashes and difficult group dynamics
   

2. Poor understanding of roles and expectations
   

3. Lack of consultation/understanding of job challenges
   

4. Persistent issues not dealt with
   

5. Attitudes which propagate negativity
   

6. Bullying, belittling
   

7. Lack or recognition and respect
   

8. Unrealistic demands
   

9. Colleagues who don’t pull their weight, etc etc ...
   

Many of these issues (although covered under Occupational Health and Safety guidelines) can be hidden, not dealt with, and left to fester.  It is always better that human relations are explored before industrial relations. Parties respect each other more if they can work things through together.

OTHER POSSIBLE ISSUES:

1. Unhealthy or toxic work environment
   

2. Dangerous and unsafe work environment
   

3. Poorly structured work environment, etc
   

Most of the environmental issues will come under Occupational Health and Safety guidelines

A health audit utilises an experienced facilitator and an audience response system.

This is not a guru from outside approach.  It is a group soul-searching process where the ideas about progress come from within the organisation (but of course the use of outside professionals may be part of an action plan).

There are three parts to the process: the planning, the live session and the follow-up.

All live sessions are bounded by a code of ethics ensuring issues, and not individualities, are explored. Voting is anonymous.

All sessions are documented and a follow-up report is provided to everyone involved.